Susan Kennedy, Aberdeenshire UNISON Assistant Branch Secretary said, “We know how difficult it is to afford training to improve your job prospects due to huge increases in course fees and the withdrawal by many employers of financial support for career development.

“Our Schools Support Staff members make up an increasing proportion of our union’s membership.

“To help you get on at work and develop your career, UNISON is piloting Personal Learning Development Grants for Schools Support Staff. 10 awards of up to £300 each are offered to help pay for course fees.

“These grants can be used for a wide range of courses. They can help towards fees on any general non-vocational course (e.g. IT courses, skills training, languages etc.) or any vocational course
relevant to working in public services (e.g. counselling, accountancy and management courses would be supported but not beautician training or electronic engineering!).

“UNISON will give preference to members with few or no qualifications when allocating these awards. We are also keen to hear from members who are active in the branch. However applications are welcomed from all Schools Support Staff members.”

To Apply
Complete and return the application form to reach us by 27 August 2015. We will consider all applications on that date so that grant criteria can be applied fairly, and let all applicants know the outcome very shortly after that date.

In addition to the conditions mentioned above, the following also apply for receipt of a learning grant:

You must be a member of UNISON for at least 4 weeks prior to applying for an award, have no arrears of subscriptions, and continue to pay membership subscriptions during the time you are supported by an award.

Each member can receive one UNISON learning grant only in each calendar year, up to a maximum of four grants.

Grants will be made at the discretion of the NEC Development & Organising Committee.